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Family left terrified by Denholme house raid

Balaclava-clad robbers threatened a family with a pickaxe during a terrifying home raid which left a teenage girl traumatised.

The three robbers were in the kitchen of a house in Cliffe Terrace, Denholme, at about 8.30pm on Monday when they were disturbed by the family.

The men, who were carrying what police believe was a pickaxe and a knife, threatened the family, demanding cash and property. They then searched the house and took three mobile phones and a set of car keys, which were all recovered soon after.

One of the suspects is described as Asian, aged 19 to 24 and about 5ft 11ins tall. He was wearing a black balaclava, dark clothing and white gloves.

The second suspect was also Asian and believed to be around the same age. He was a few inches shorter and chubby. He was wearing a grey hooded top with a dark coloured balaclava.

The third suspect was white and wore dark clothing and a dark balaclava.

Police have appealed for witnesses.

Detective Inspector Ryan Bragg, of Airedale and North Bradford CID, said: “This was a terrifying ordeal for a family to be subjected to in their own home.

“A teenage girl has been left traumatised by the incident. I appeal to anyone who may have any information about this offence or who saw anyone in the area acting suspiciously to contact Airedale and North Bradford CID on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.”

Beverley Reeday, who lives next door to the house where the incident happened, said: “Nothing like this ever happens and I have been here for years. It’s normally very quiet. It’s not something you would expect to go on in a place like Denholme.”

He said he hoped it was not the start of a trend of robbers migrating from the city centre to rural areas.

He said: “There has obviously been a spate in Bradford, with people going in for gold, primarily in the Asian community, but we haven’t had that type of incident here. It is a very worrying affair, that this might become almost commonplace if people are moving out into more rural areas.

“It’s bad enough wherever it is, but places like Denholme are low-crime areas. It is extremely worrying and something I will have to speak to the police about.”